[[quoteright:318:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/randy-orton_2_5084.jpg]][[caption-width-right:330:The WWE's Apex Predator]]->''"If you were to design a sports entertainer from the ground up, it would look '''exactly''' like Randy Orton."''-->--'''Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield'''

'''Randall Keith "Randy" Orton''' (born on April 1, 1980) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to the Wrestling/{{WWE}}. Orton is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Bob Orton Sr., father "Cowboy" Bob Orton, as well as his uncle Barry O, all competed in the professional wrestling industry.

Before being promoted to the main WWE roster, Orton trained in and wrestled for Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association-Southern Illinois Conference Wrestling for a month. He was then sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). There, Orton held the OVW Hardcore Championship on two separate occasions.

After signing with WWE, Orton became a member of the stable Wrestling/{{Evolution}}, where he acquired the moniker "[[HeroKiller The Legend Killer]]": an unstoppable golem of a man who physically targeted Hall of Famers and other veterans of the industry, usually [[CombatPragmatist outside of appropriate restrictions]]. In 2004, Orton became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion when he won the title at the age of twenty-four (defeating Wrestling/ChrisBenoit). This win resulted in his departure from Evolution and a feud with his former stablemates. In 2006, Orton joined forces with Wrestling/{{Edge}} in a tag team known as...er, [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Rated-RKO]]. Together, Orton and Edge held the World Tag Team Championship. After the team disbanded, Orton won the WWE Championship twice in one night in mid-2007 (said title changes being the only time that title changed hands that year).

These days, Orton is better known for his decade-long feud with Wrestling/JohnCena -- actually much longer, originating back when they were both scrappy upstarts in OVW. Ironically, in an inversion of their usual WWE feud dynamic, Orton was the face and Cena was the heel. In fact, you would be forgiven for thinking these two are descended gods who have been fighting down through the centuries. There's been roughly 30 single matches between Cena and Orton, but if you count multiple matches —Tag Matches, Triple Threats, Hell in a Cells, Elimination Matches, Elimination Chambers — the number is [[TheUsualAdversaries probably around 125.]]

Also considered one of the more practical/lazy wrestlers in the near century-long existence of pro wrestling (counting the carny days), while every other wrestler was coming up with new crazy risky moves to finally put their opponent down, Randy Orton was the one man to go [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim "Why don't I kick him in the head really hard?"]]

He is a nine time WWE World Heavyweight Champion[[note]]prior to TLC 2013 it was known as the WWE Championship before being merged with the World Heavyweight Championship[[/note]], a four time and final World Heavyweight Champion, one time Intercontinental Champion, a one time World Tag Team Champion, alongside Wrestling/{{Edge}} and a one time Smackdown Tag Team Champion alongside [[Wrestling/TheWyattFamily The Wyatt Family]]. In 2017, he won the second Royal Rumble of his career.

As usual, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Orton That Other Wiki]] has more details on his career.----!!! "I hear tropes in my head. They counsel me. They understand. They talk to me.":* AbortedArc: Looked to have a feud with Wrestling/ChrisJericho in 2012 after getting attack by Jericho in a match. Then it was all dropped when both got suspended within a week of each other, Orton for 60 days due to a Wellness Violation and Jericho for 30 days due to him kicking an Brazilian flag, which is a huge no no.* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Daniel Bryan's looking to be this for Orton, as Randy has ''never'' been able to get one up on Bryan in a legitimate one-on-one scenario without any [[Wrestling/TripleH controversy]], [[Wrestling/ShawnMichaels interference]] [[Wrestling/{{Kane}} or]] [[Wrestling/TheWyattFamily distractions]]. This was discussed by Cole and company during their 12/16/13 main event encounter, which ended in a DQ win for Bryan when Orton low-blowed him, further emphasizing the point. * AntiHero: Compared to most of the smiling, rule-abiding faces in the organization, and YMMV on the extent, Orton fits this anywhere from type III-V.* AnimalMotif: Vipers, venomous snakes in general.* AmbiguouslyBrown: He's actually white (which is somewhat obvious) - just rather tan. He sometimes even gives off a bronze/golden skin tone, which has inspired some to dub Orton as WWE's ''literal'' "golden boy."* ArchEnemy: ** Wrestling/JohnCena and Wrestling/TripleH have been his biggest feuds. With Cena, that got so [[ItsPersonal personal]], Cena's father got involved - '''''twice.''''' His feud with Triple H went as far back as his days in Evolution, and him getting kicked out rather brutally after winning the World Heavyweight Title, which was something he couldn't forget and wouldn't let go of, and would later target Hunter's [[Characters/WWEMcMahonFamily family.]]** Wrestling/TheUndertaker for the period when he tried to break "The Streak", even proving he was badass enough, by turning heel again, since leaving Evolution, but giving his girlfriend Wrestling/StacyKeibler an RKO.** His feud with Wrestling/CMPunk was a two year long wait on the behalf of Punk, who previously had to vacate his title after being punted by Orton, and thus couldn't defend it on the ''Unforgiven'' [=PPV=] in 2008. This lead to Punk taking over leadership of Wrestling/TheNexus, and using its members to weaken Orton for their match at WrestleMania 27.** After Wrestling/{{Christian}} won the World Heavyweight title in 2011, for the first time, and five days later[[note]]actually just two with Smackdown being taped and all[[/note]] had to defend it against Orton, by popular vote by "WWE universe", and losing, their mutual respect for one another turned sour when Christian turned heel and demanded several re-matches for the title, ultimately winning it back, before losing it back to Orton about a month later. Christian is generally regarded as the rival Randy had the most chemistry with in regards to both matches and actual feud-building.** His short feud with Wrestling/CodyRhodes stemmed from their days in Legacy, with Rhodes feeling he never got the retribution he needed, and it got very bloody at one point, with Orton hitting Rhodes over the head with the ring bell, necessitating stitches.** Wrestling/WadeBarrett became a pain for him, when his team won at Wrestling/SurvivorSeries, pinning Orton, and at one point pushing Orton down a flight of stairs, their feud came to an end, a few months after that after Orton winning a No DQ match to settle things, once and for all.** When Wrestling/{{Kane}} returned from injury, Orton became a target, since prior to Wrestling/MarkHenry putting Kane on the shelf, they've had matches, which Kane lost, and Kane felt his humanity had taken over, so he needed to defeat Orton in order for him bury that humanity he had inside him.** Randy also had many issues with Wrestling/{{Batista}} over the years, stemming from Batista's part in Randy's ousting from Evolution, though it's only in the last five years that they have directly opposed each other. It's mainly due to the fact that while Randy hated Dave for his part in the betrayal, he hated Hunter far, ''far'' more.** Long story short, Randy tends to not make many friends. Then again, considering his character (regardless of his alignment), it's highly doubtful Randy's had any to ''begin'' with.** Most recently, he has been feuding with Seth Rollins of whom has replaced him as the "Face of the WWE." Irony set in a few months later when Orton allied himself with Reigns and Ambrose in their feud with the Wyatt Family, and showed as much chemistry with them as Seth himself did when they were in the Shield together.** Wrestling/JinderMahal from April until Battleground 2017.* AscendedMeme: The "RKO Outta Nowhere" meme, on two instances:** First was during the 4/20/2015 episode of ''[=RAW=]''. To put into context: Orton was slated for a cage match against Wrestling/SethRollins at ''Extreme Rules'' that year, with a stipulation that the RKO was banned. Seeing as he would not get to use it during their match (which was at that time a week away), Orton decided to "get it all out of his system" and RKO anyone he sees. One highlight was when he RKO'd Wrestling/HeathSlater through the table at the canteen; prior to the latter's OhCrap face, no one expected Orton to be there as the camera was focused on Slater.** The second was in the 8/1/2016 episode of ''[=RAW=]'', as buildup to his ''Wrestling/{{Summerslam}}'' match with Wrestling/BrockLesnar. To put into context: Wrestling/PaulHeyman was doing his usual LargeHam promo for his client, up to the point where he emphasized the fact that [[TemptingFate Orton can never hit the RKO on Lesnar]] (while the camera was focused on Lesnar). Cue RKO ''[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu on Lesnar.]]''* AssholeVictim: Despite not "killing" anybody, Orton's punt been treated as equal. So when CM Punk faced off Orton for revenge, he was more than justified.* AudienceSurrogate: This ''may'' be the reason for his popularity. Contrasting him with John Cena (who's pretty much a straight-up boyscout aside from a few moments), Orton does what he wants, when he wants, to who he wants - not only with [[KarmaHoudini very few consequences,]] but he often [[EvilIsCool gets cheered for it.]] Who's lived long enough that ''hasn't'' wanted to go completely apeshit with impunity (on bosses and coworkers in particular) at least once?* AwesomeButImpractical: The elevated "spike" DDT he uses from the second rope is really cool and brutal-looking, but if his victim's conscious enough to get his feet off the second rope, it'll get countered. Which WWE seems to recognize, as it's the one of his FiveMovesOfDoom that he never seems to get off on his first try.* AxCrazy: Hell yes.* BadassBeard** PermaStubble* BadassBoast: "I embrace hate! And hate embraces me!"* BadassInANiceSuit: During his days in Wrestling/{{Evolution}}.* BaldOfAwesome* BaldOfEvil* BerserkButton: The one thing [=MITB=] 2011 taught us about Randy Orton? Don't spit in his face. Or do, if you're trying to get him disqualified.** On a more personal note outside of the ring, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXUrdHoJOFo never call him fragile]].* BigBad: In 2009, during the Road to ''Wrestling/WrestleMania'', due to his constant attacks of the [=McMahon=] family and his threatening to cancel the event all together should he be fired for his actions, along with winning the Wrestling/RoyalRumble match that year.* BlackAndGrayMorality[=/=]StrawmanHasAPoint: During his feud with Wrestling/TripleH over the course of the first half of 2009, Orton was made out to be a DirtyCoward by repeatedly stalking and taunting Triple H, putting 'H's father-in-law Wrestling/VinceMcMahon and brother-in-law Wrestling/ShaneMcMahon in the hospital, knocking out and nearly raping his wife Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon, and using the members of Legacy (Cody Rhodes and Ted [=DiBiase=]) to do much of his dirty work and bail him out during matches. But you didn't have to be especially perceptive to point out that the [=McMahons=] [[AssholeVictim partially deserved it]] after insulting Orton's father and [[DisproportionateRetribution firing Orton's ally Chris Jericho simply for speaking rudely to Stephanie]]. (And this doesn't even take into account the fact that Orton and Jericho were right to complain, correctly accusing Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield of bribing Wrestling/ShawnMichaels to help him win a shot at John Cena's WWE Championship by unfair means.) Not to mention that Triple H had all this coming for a long time due to the fact that he'd had his Evolution stablemates attack Orton in a jealous rage after Orton won the World Heavyweight Championship in 2004. Not that this wasn't noted in {{Kayfabe}}, Triple H even used the fact he screwed Randy over to goad him into fighting him.--> '''Triple H''': I'm not a good person, Randy...* BookEnds: Tapped out to John Cena's STF at the beginning of their Iron Man match at Bragging Rights 2009; this was done pragmatically, as a quick tap-out with more than 50 minutes left on the clock would leave him fresh and ready to continue. Near the end, he was forced to tap out for real with the score tied at 5 each, causing him to lose the WWE Championship.* BoringButPractical:** Orton wrestles a very simple, but effective wrestling style. Technically there's nothing wrong with that, but if you don't hold an appreciation for that sort of thing his matches tend to be boring as hell.** The crazy part is that he basically wrestles as a heel from the mid eighties, with his melodramatic knee drops and stomps, combined with his incredibly heelish middle rope DDT. Randy has great WrestlingPsychology...for a methodical heel, even though he's a sociopathic face.*** Considering his age and the fact that his father was in WWF in the mid-80s (and a heel), [[FridgeBrilliance Randy probably grew up watching a lot of mid-80s heels.]]** His wrestling style is also completely practical from a business standpoint. Guys who do really flashy moves and take crazy bumps through tables or off ladders or even just in the ring might be more entertaining for audiences to watch, but they can't put on a match like that every single night, and their bodies inevitably suffer for it. With his style, Orton could potentially wrestle a match five nights a week if the bosses asked him to, with a fairly low risk of injury (for him and for the other wrestler/s he's working with) and with comparatively little chance that he's going to have to retire prematurely.*** [[EnforcedTrope Enforced]] at the beginning of his career by some of the legends that mentored him. He used to feature [[IHaveTheHighGround several top rope moves]] in his arsenal. Once he hit main event status, though, his mentor(s) advised him to remove them because, first off, they were too risky for a guy of his status and health history (he's got shoulder issues) and, second, because he didn't need them to get over.* BrokenAce: Presented this way in kayfabe, with some RealitySubtext. Orton was the talented athlete that most of WWE's higher-ups envisioned at the top of the company back around 2003-2005, but never surpassed Wrestling/JohnCena's status mostly because of his inability to stay out of his own way. In kayfabe, especially, most of his heel turns, his most recent in particular, are marked with bouts of insecurity and paranoia - despite [[FridgeBrilliance (or perhaps because of)]] ostensibly being Wrestling/TheAuthority's handpicked champion.[[note]] remember what Wrestling/TripleH did to Randy when they were in Wrestling/{{Evolution}}?[[/note]] And, both in and out of kayfabe, Orton still occasionally dips into anger and behavioral issues.* CaptainObvious: "You might not know this about me, but I have a ''severe'' anger management problem." [[SarcasmMode No Randy, we'd never have guessed]]. We thought you just didn't realize that kicking people in the skull as hard as you can could cause significant injury. * CatchPhrase: "My name is Randy Orton."* [[CompositeCharacter Composite Gimmick:]] Since his 2005 move to Smackdown, Orton started to merge shreds of his Viper persona while also reviving some of the animation and personality he had during his first face run on Smackdown (i.e. during his feud with Evolution).* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Orton was a clean-cut, respectful baby face when he first debuted in 2002. Even after he turned heel a few months later, he still had that wide-eyed enthusiastic personality. Contrast that to the modern day Orton and its like two different people. This can be attributed to his time in Wrestling/{{Evolution}} with him getting violently thrown out of the group, and his later quest to become a WWE Champion no matter what. He probably realized he couldn't keep those traits if he wanted to get anywhere in WWE.* ContinuityNod:** His "Randy News Network" vignettes from the first time he was out with injury. He pretty much started every promo with a hi and his name. Between then and now, actually, this was basically the gimmick of Dolph Ziggler.** Also, during his title celebration after his 2013 heel turn, he (among other things) tightly embraced Wrestling/StephanieMcmahon, at which point Wrestling/MichaelCole really fliped out and said something to the effect of, "After everything he's put that young lady through?" Of course, for those with decent memories, a younger Randy Orton feuded with the [=McMahon=] family - punting ''everyone'' he could get a foot to except for Stephanie herself, whom Orton once gave an RKO and once delivered an [[SignatureMove elevated DDT]] and [[DudeShesLikeInAComa kissed on the lips]] with a tied-up Wrestling/TripleH ForcedToWatch.* CheapHeat: During his feud with Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr, Orton told Rey that recently deceased Wrestling/EddieGuerrero was in Hell. Even for his {{Jerkass}} hat that he was sporting at the time, most everyone said that was going ''way'' too far. Even Wrestling/{{Tazz}} sounded legitimately off about that.** In a shoot interview on Wrestlemania Rewind, he stated it hurt to say it. He also stated that the comment was cleared by Eddie's family.* CherryTapping: In a backstage brawl with Wrestling/WadeBarrett, Randy, in the middle of beating the crap out of Barrett, soaked him with a water hose and dumped the contents of a garbage can (although not the garbage can itself) onto his head. [[UnnecessaryRoughness Then he RKO'd him through the roof of a car.]]* CombatPragmatist: Kicking people really hard in the head.* CoolCar: His interest in them seems to be a minor character quirk of his that nobody really talks about - probably because it mainly shows up when he's a heel. But it seems like Randy is terribly GenreBlind about his rides, which usually [[RunningGag ends with them being defaced or destroyed.]]* CreatorsPet: He became an InUniverse example of this throughout 2013-14. In this storyline, Wrestling/TheAuthority has decided he is the "Face" of the WWE, and they kept the championship on him at all costs under the guise that it's "best for business," and used their power and influence to clear any potential challengers to his position.** By late 2014, Randy was been phased out of this role in favor of the new "Golden Boy," Wrestling/SethRollins. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPtrGv-m8q4 He didn't take too kindly to it.]]* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: The Punt kick has become this - apparently it's been legitimately banned, which is why Randy hasn't been seen using it as often in the last two years. Apparently, also, WWE relaxed that ban for Extreme Rules 2013, where Randy used it to beat Wrestling/TheBigShow, just to show how serious things had gotten... and then ''again'' at Survivor Series the same year... same guy, too.* DarkerAndEdgier:** The 'Viper' gimmick in comparison to his original 'Legend Killer' gimmick.** Also, he is pushed as a DarkerAndEdgier counterpart to John Cena.* DeadpanSnarker: Usually with threats more than jokes. For example, when Ashton Kutcher guest-hosted RAW for his movie ''Film/{{Killers}}'', he told Wrestling/ZackRyder that he put a hit on him. Randy, being called the "Silent Assassin" and the "Legend Killer", was Zack's first suspect, claiming that Orton was trying to end his legend career before it started. Orton's response?-->Randy: "Zack, if I wanted to take you out, we wouldn't be having this conversation."** Comes up in real-life interviews as well.* {{Determinator}}: There is ''nothing'' Orton won't try in order to get what he wants. After Wrestling/WilliamRegal refused to grant him a rematch for John Cena's WWE Championship, Orton proved he was ready to take on Cena again....by ''forcefully pulling Cena's father out of the crowd and kicking him in the skull''.* DidntSeeThatComing: RKO out of nowhere -- you know it's coming, but ''when?''* DirtyCoward[=/=]DudeWheresMyRespect: Headed this route after winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. ** His first promo after winning the Championship: "You are ALL jealous of me!"** His reaction to his first title defense in a match against [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]]? "You can ALL kiss my ass!"*** Then during the actual match, he intentionally DQ's himself by giving the challenger a [[GroinAttack low blow]]. ** His reaction to a rematch with Wrestling/JohnCena at the Royal Rumble? Beating up the latter's father in an unprovoked attack after losing to Wrestling/KofiKingston and then calling out Wrestling/TheAuthority the very next week during their welcome-back promo for Wrestling/{{Batista}}.** His reaction to John arriving at the arena the very same night for some retribution? [[OhCrap He got the hell out of Dodge quickly]] before Cena gave him an Attitude Adjustment onto the concrete stands in the crowd.* DisproportionateRetribution:** While inactive with injury in 2008, he punts CM Punk in the skull before a World Heavyweight Championship defense as the climax to a big beatdown by Legacy. Punk can't defend the championship that night, meaning Orton basically screwed him out of the title. Punk tries to go for revenge immediately but is beaten into the background shortly thereafter. A couple years and turns later, Punk and his [[Wrestling/TheNexus New Nexus]] cost Orton a WWE title match with Wrestling/TheMiz because he's never forgotten it. So Orton goes punting New Nexus members for consecutive weeks and threatening to beat Punk so bad he has to eat through a feeding tube. [[MoralDissonance As the[= =]]][[SociopathicHero babyface]][[MoralDissonance [= =]of the feud.]]** Then again, Punk ''did'' threaten Orton's wife at one point during the feud. That's a quick way to get on Orton's ''really bad side.''* TheDragon: He served as this to Wrestling/TripleH during his time in Wrestling/TheAuthority.* TheDreaded: Randy is a legend in his own right these days, but his legend inspires ''fear'' rather than respect. His uncontrollable rage, inability to be reasoned with, and overall insanity has made him absolutely terrifying to every non-main event talent on the roster. Even those who are considered "in his league" are wary of him, because he's liable to fly off the handle at any point, and with a finishing move that can ''literally'' come out of nowhere, that is ''not'' a good thing, as Randy HatesEveryoneEqually. No one, not even his allies or even his own family (by his own admission, no less) is safe from his wrath.* DullSurprise[=/=]CreepyMonotone: His rather...subdued speaking style either fits his character or displays his complete lack of charisma. It's a strange character quirk, for sure, but Orton was much more expressive during his younger days as the Legend Killer.* MrFanservice:** When Orton was in Evolution, his [=TitanTron=] entrance video even included an image of him being fawned over by a bevy of women as he grins [[HandsomeLech lecherously]].** He's also posed for Playgirl.** On the November 14, 2013 edition of Monday Night Raw, Randy Orton cut the crowd to pieces by proclaiming that the girlfriends/wives/mothers of all the men in the audience were "Fantasizing about what it would be like to wake up to Randy Orton." Judging from the loud, immediate [[{{Squee}} shrieks of joy]] from the women in the building, he may have been right ([[AllGirlsWantBadBoys despite, or maybe because of, the fact that he was a heel at the time]]). There may have been some long car rides home from the arena that night for couples who attended the show.* EnemyMine: He started to get along with with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose in late 2015 due to some tag matches they had together. He even looked like he was considering joining up with them in their feud with the Wyatt Family. The Wyatts, sensing that, took him out -- which only cemented his decision to ally himself with Reigns and Ambrose when he came back a few weeks later.* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: As a face, Orton's wife (who seems to be [[TheOtherDarrin a different woman every time she appears onscreen]] - none of them are his RealLife wife, either) tends to get threatened a lot - and no matter how many voices he's hearing in his head, if his wife's in trouble, he'll put whatever he was doing on hold to go to save her. Some of the more GenreSavvy guys like CM Punk have taken advantage of this in feuds. [[note]]In that case Randy ran back to his trailer in the parking lot only to find CM Punk gone. Punk appears out of nowhere and beats Orton senseless with a wrench.[[/note]]* {{Expy}}:** One of the theories beind why Orton is so popular is that many of his heelish antics (randomly attacking people) remind the audience of the antics of Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin. The fact that both have [[AnimalMotifs snake motifs]] (Austin is the Rattlesnake, Orton is the Viper) and the RKO has some similarities to the Stunner probably helps towards that.** Orton was [[BaldOfAwesome bald]] during his heel run around 2009-2010 as well.** At one point, Randy stopped doing his signature "Release the Doves" pose and started doing Austin's pose (both arms raised, hands in fists, minus the middle fingers) during his entrance.** He is also a third generation superstar who later became the youngest world (World Heavyweight Champion to be precise) champion in history. [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Do you smell it?]] That makes him a CompositeCharacter of The Rock ''and'' Stone Cold.*** Bonus points for the fact that shortly before winning that title, he had the longest reign with the Intercontinental Title since The Rock's reign with it in 1998.** Alternatively some of his physical mannerisms, the snake-related nickname, and the heel persona of being sadistic and merciless could be seen as a nod to [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts Jake "The Snake" Roberts]] (who, incidentally, had a hand in his training).* FamilyUnfriendlyViolence** Orton smashing Wrestling/CodyRhodes in the head with the announcer's bell in their September 2011 match. He cracked Rhodes' head open, and blood was pouring out. Nauseating to look at, and Rhodes required nine staples to stitch his scalp back together.** In a shocking twist, he was also the ''recipient'' of this at ''Summerslam 2016''. Wrestling/BrockLesnar's elbows did very, ''very'' bad things to Randy's forehead.* FaceHeelTurn: At ''SummerSlam 2013'' when he cashed in his Money In the Bank briefcase on [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] after he beat Wrestling/JohnCena.* FatalFlaw: Wrestling/{{Christian}} took advantage of Randy's anger issues in their feud in 2011. He got rather good at it during [=MiTB=] PPV.* FleetingDemographicRule: Independent maverick superstar takes the Championship by joining up with corporate forces against all continuity and character logic? Are we talking about Randy Orton or StoneColdSteveAustin?* FinishingMove: The RKO, technically a jumping cutter.* FiveMovesOfDoom: Garvin Stomp, Elevated DDT, Powerslam, Twisting Backbreaker, RKO. He had also added [[Wrestling/KurtAngle Olympic Slam]] and a Powerbomb to his set for while, but it appears like the those two plus the Twisting Backbreaker have all but disappeared. He would use the Punt as a finisher for a while but that has since been banned. After all those changes, he was left with the running clotheslines, Powerslam, Elevated DDT, and RKO.* {{Foreshadowing}}: The lengths he would go to during his feud with Wrestling/TheUndertaker, starting with RKO'ing [[Wrestling/StacyKeibler his own girlfriend]] at the time just to prove that point exactly, was really our first major look at the massive evil streak that was growing inside of him.* ForTheLulz: When he was feuding with {{Sheamus}} (Randy as champion), he planned to be very...''liberal'' with his FinishingMove...-->'''Randy Orton''': I would RKO ''my own grandmother'' if it meant keeping this title[[note]]the WWE Championship; Randy was on ''[[Wrestling/{{WWERaw}} Raw]]'' [[/note]]. And then I'd RKO ''your grandmother'' just to see the look on her face!* FunnyBackgroundEvent: [[spoiler:Go back and watch Dean Ambrose tear-ass on the Authority with the hotdog cart, condiments and all. Randy is mostly curled up in a ball on the floor by the barrier, his face mostly obscured, but it's obvious that he's sneaking a few bites of a hot dog. That Dean Ambrose threw. And landed on the floor.]]** [[spoiler:Can be seen here at the beginning of [[https://threemanbooth.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/ambrosehotdog07_kev.gif this gif.]]]]* FunTShirt: In line with the AscendedMeme entry above, he wore a gray T-shirt with his initials printed on front and "[=#OuttaNowhere=]" at the back [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GVTfJbuPaTU during the 8/1/2016 episode of RAW]]* FunWithAcronyms: The RKO. They're also his initials.* GenerationXerox: He regularly uses the superplex in his matches; that move was often used by his father "Cowboy" Bob Orton.* GenreSavvy:** He was fighting Daniel Bryan. [[StuffBlowingUp Suddenly, there's a huge explosion of fire on the entrance stage.]] Randy abandons Bryan and the match to run to strike the first blow on the approaching Wrestling/{{Kane}}. Of course, he got his ass kicked anyway, but given Kane's penchant for mowing down anyone in his path, it was worth a shot.** GenreBlindness: Not so much for him, but for his opponents. [[Wrestling/EvanBourne How]] [[Wrestling/{{Christian}} many]] [[Wrestling/CMPunk guys]] have tried [[IHaveTheHighGround top rope moves]] on Randy only to get caught and RKO'd in mid-air? You'd think they would stop doing it by now.* GeniusBruiser: It's not discussed ''ad nauseum'' like it is for some people - but if you look at Randy's career it becomes clear that he's very well versed in psychological warfare. [[FridgeBrilliance Which makes perfect sense,]] given that he was mentored early in his career by [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts two]] [[Wrestling/TripleH masters]] of it. In fact, as a superior athlete, he likely would be ''better'' in the category of this trope than his two teachers. The only things that hold him back in such a regard have been his anger issues and his durability.* GlassCannon: His career's been rather peppered with various injuries if you look at it very closely. The shoulder problems don't help either, thanks to him having hypermobile shoulders.* GoodIsNotNice: The basis of his entire face run. * GroinAttack:** A couple of his early feuds saw him getting hit in the nuts a lot. Then again, when one of the guys on the other end of the feud is Wrestling/RicFlair...** Fittingly enough, since Flair was one of his mentors - at least in kayfabe - he seems to have very few qualms about using them himself when frustrated.* HairTriggerTemper:** He said it himself that he has anger problems. Just ask Christian who spit in his face and received a [[GroinAttack boot to the junk]] in response. Or R-Truth who hit him with a water bottle and received a steel chair.** Or that time when [[Wrestling/VinceMcMahon Vince [=McMahon=]]] tried to [[{{Kayfabe}} fire him]] a few years back. Randy hit him in the face and then hit him with the [[OneHitKO punt.]] Then there was the time he punted [[Wrestling/ShaneMcMahon Shane.]] Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon tried to tell him off, and guess what? [[WouldHitAGirl She got]] [[FinishingMove RKO'd]], too.** That's nothing compared to what happened to Wrestling/CodyRhodes who hit him with his mask again. Only this time, Randy kicked out and hits Cody with his own mask. But then, he hit his head with a ''bell'' which accidentally bust his head open! There was uncensored footage when before he RKO'd Cody, he hit him with a steel chair while Cody's face was in a ''bloody mess''! Wow.* HatesEveryoneEqually: Was as susceptible to attacking heels as he was to faces. In fact, the only way you can tell what alignment he is is by who he attacks most frequently. That's the only thing about his character that really changes, otherwise he's the same sadistic sociopath that he's always been, and does not follow the normal rules of face/heel allegiance (such as never attacking someone of the same alignment).* HearingVoices: "Voices" by Rev Theory served as his theme song when his character became [[TookALevelInBadass darker]], and at first, it had no official relevance to his character. Soon after, Randy was confirmed to have severe mental issues, especially with anger, and eventually, the voices in his head became canon. And even more terrifyingly, the voices themselves apparently don't approve of Randy's twisted actions.-->'''Orton:''' In my world, there's no games. Just pain. Misery. Agony. Chaos. Voices begging me to stop. But I don't listen.* HeelFaceTurn:** Of the oddest sort. His behavior never actually changed; the fans just kept cheering him more and more until WWE apparently threw its hands up and [[AscendedFanon went with it]]. The only difference was his choice of targets (and even then, he got cheered for delivering random, unprovoked [=RKOs=] to people like [[ItMakesSenseInContext Wayne Brady and Meatloaf]]). Apart from Orton, the only other people to ever really pull that off were Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin and Wrestling/TripleH (although the latter did not do it nearly as consistently as Austin and Orton).** Along with Wrestling/RicFlair, [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts Jake "The Snake" Roberts]], Wrestling/TheUndertaker, [[Wrestling/ScottHall Razor Ramon]], [[Wrestling/KevinNash Diesel]], Wrestling/{{Sabu}}, Wrestling/{{Tazz}}, Wrestling/RobVanDam, [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]], Wrestling/ChrisJericho, Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, Wrestling/{{Edge}}, Wrestling/{{Batista}} [[OverlyLongGag etc]]...* HeroKiller: Made a name for himself as a "Legend Killer" kicking the crap out of a bunch of...[[ShapedLikeItself legends]]. Even after he moved on from that persona, his signature punt was notorious for putting out faces, most notably John Cena and Triple H.* HoistByHisOwnPetard:** At ''Money In The Bank 2011'', Christian provoked Orton into getting himself disqualified and losing the World Heavyweight Title due to the stipulations by spitting in his face; something that Orton himself had a habit of doing back in his Evolution days.** And on a more meta level, a couple of his feuds have happened because, at some point, Orton didn't know where to draw the line.** Was set to star in the third installment of ''Film/TheMarine''. But due to his past history with the marines (he went AWOL and was dishonorably discharged after serving 38 days in military prison), he was pulled from the movie after some real marines wasn't all that pleased with him starring in the movie. [[note]]He was eventually replaced by Wrestling/TheMiz and was instead placed in the ''12 Rounds'' sequel.[[/note]]* HorrifyingTheHorror: On the October 11, 2016 episode of [[Wrestling/WWESmackDown SmackDown]], Randy invited Kane (his tag-team partner that night, and also WWE's resident demonic psychopath) on a trip through Randy's world. A world where "There's no games. Just pain. Misery. Agony. Chaos. Voices begging me to stop."-->'''Kane:''' Randy... you got issues.* HypercompetentSidekick: A large chunk of the last several years for Orton has seen the twelve-time World Champion as an enforcer to other stars. After he lost the title(s) himself, he spent a fairly lengthy stint helping to keep the titles on Wrestling/SethRollins (and[=/=]or off Wrestling/DanielBryan) as a member of Wrestling/TheAuthority. In 2016, he's a member of Wrestling/TheWyattFamily.* IdiotBall: [[GroinAttack Low blowing]] Christian after he spat on him, when he was warned if he got disqualified Christian would win the world heavyweight title. Although maybe "Uncontrollable Anger Ball" would be more accurate.* ICouldaBeenAContender: Downplayed example. While Orton today is a legend just below Cena in popularity and accolades, their positions could've easily been reversed years ago. Orton was actually the first choice for the new face of WWE after the first departure of Wrestling/BrockLesnar, thanks to his looks, lineage, and talent. (Un)fortunately, his initial face turn (after Evolution's betrayal) did not pan out well, due to him not being over enough with the crowd as a heel to get cheers from them and not experienced enough to get over as a face yet. Add that with Orton's backstage attitude, where it was alleged he wrecked an entire hotel room in a fit of drunken rage, and one can't really blame the company for cutting his first world title reign short. Orton wouldn't win another world title for three years -- and when he did, it was firmly as the company's top heel.* IHaveTheHighGround: ** ''Loves'' subverting this trope. It's almost to the point where attacking Orton from the top rope is like signing your own death warrant. If you attempt a high-flying move on Orton, there's at least a 90% chance he's going to counter it into an RKO.** He did have a few high-flying maneuvers in the beginning of his career.* ImportantHaircut:** Check his hair from his OVW days to his first injury.** And again when he went to his 'Viper' gimmick. He shaved his bald, presumably to help himself physically resemble an actual snake.* [[{{Pun}} Incredibly Lame Pun]]: In his feud with Wrestling/RicFlair one article had the title [[Literature/HortonHearsAWho Orton Hears A Woo.]]* InvincibleHero:** As of September 2010, some of the internet fanbase has started to turn on his push as the top face on Raw after one too many segments and matches that have ended in Orton [=RKOing=] everyone in sight. As of May 2011, it's only gotten worse.** Building on this, prior to losing the title to Mark Henry at Night of Champions, Orton hadn't lost cleanly since ''before the previous Wrestling/WrestleMania.''* ItRunsInTheFamily[=/=]WrestlingFamily: Ortons have been appearing on professional wrestling cards for at least the past half-century. Randy just happens to be the most famous and the most popular.* IWorkAlone: Anytime Orton been in a group, things has never worked out well. Something he has commented on and even stated that he works better alone.* '''{{Jerkass}}''': Even as a face he is this.* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: Randy does not do things out of what little goodness his black heart has -- he does it because it benefits him in some way or because somebody the audience doesn't like managed to piss him off. If it makes him come off as more heroic and more popular, the only benefit out of it for him is more merchandise sales.* KarmaHoudini:** As a {{face}} Orton never, ever gets paid back for any of the horrible things he does to people, and even as a heel he's done numerous things that he never gets punished for.** This was CM Punk's motivation for making [[Wrestling/TheNexus The New Nexus]] target Orton. (See LargeHam.) He even punted them [[PutOnABus on a bus]] during their feud, and it would appears as this would apply again, but then three out of four of Orton's [[Wrestling/TheNexus punt victims]] came back off the bus to beat him down and cost him another shot at the WWE title. He then defeated all of them once again, dominated Wrestling/CMPunk twice in a row, and went on to win World Heavyweight Championship 2 days later in a match he only "earned" via Teddy Long's clear populist favoritism. Opening ''yet another'' clear floodgate of Karma Houdini-ness.* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: His secondary finisher, a running punt to the head. Also, he's prone to stomping on his opponents repeatedly to weaken them.* KryptoniteFactor: Seems to have this relationship with Wrestling/KofiKingston, who has pinned him twice on television during his championship reigns. In the world of wrestling, this normally wouldn't be a big deal, except for the fact that Randy's a 12-time world champion and Kofi's the very definition of a perennial midcarder. One of the matches which Kofi won, completely cleanly, was on ''Raw'' (January 13, 2014), but felt more like a PPV main-event. It lasted 16 minutes and 46 seconds bell-to-bell, and Orton seemed to have the upper hand the entire match until Kofi surprised him with an SOS. Randy's not even immune to this guy when the face[=/=]heel roles are reversed and the two don't wrestle for about a year. He managed to roll up and pin Orton at the end of a tag match in 2015 after Randy had turned face again.* LargeHam:** Although Orton's babyface persona is that of a tweener [[TheStoic stoic]], Orton does have/has had his moments. A prime example is when he was leader of Legacy and attacked Wrestling/CMPunk, who was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time. After a few moments of allowing Legacy to pound on Punk, Orton appears from offscreen, delivers the punt kick to Punk, and shouts, "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis NOW THAT! THAT RIGHT THERE! WAS! IMPRESSIVE!!!]]"** His slow promo style is only a character effect of his Viper persona; while he was the [[HeroKiller Legend Killer]], Orton was quite energetic as a speaker.* LightIsNotGood: In his early days with his golden pyro, flickering golden lights and even his theme song "Burn in My Light". * ManlyTears:** After winning the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time at ''Summerslam 2004''.** Also during Wrestling/RicFlair's retirement ceremony the night after WrestleMania XXIV.* MeanCharacterNiceActor:** Orton in real life once complained on Twitter that his infant daughter was sleeping when he returned home after several days on the road and he couldn't get a hug from her.** He did have a history of unprofessional conduct backstage early in his career, such that he was even briefly suspended for it in 2006, but he took anger management classes after that, which seemed to be the turning point in changing his behaviour for the better. CM Punk himself, who is notorious for having no issues criticizing his coworkers even when he was still under contract, has stated that Randy has greatly mellowed out over the years.* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A possible literal example. After smashing Wrestling/CodyRhodes across the face with his own MaskOfPower and cracking it, the latter seems to have become even more dangerous than he was before.* OhCrap:** After barely beating Wade Barrett who sent Nexus in before the match to take out his leg, Orton slumps against the turnbuckle, hurt and exhausted but still the WWE champion. Then he hears over the loudspeakers: "[[Wrestling/TheMiz AAAAAAAAWESOME!]]" as Miz's music hits and Miz comes to cash in his MITB contract. The look on Orton's face was perfectly understated as he looked into the camera almost as if he was saying [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe "Oh, you're shitting me with this..."]]** Also induced this from time to time, especially during his heel runs, if for no other reason than the fact that he was such a loose cannon and was liable to [[FinishingMove RKO]] or [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown punt]] anyone that was in his way - that includes his enemies, his ''allies'', [[WouldHitAGirl women]], guys sitting in the first row (just ask Wrestling/JohnCena's father) or even, by his own admission, his own grandmother.** The time he was put in a gauntlet by Batista. The first two opponents were Wrestling/EvanBourne and Wrestling/JackSwagger, and Orton won both matches, but only after Swagger intentionally got counted out. Then Wrestling/MarkHenry came out, and it looked like he was going to do what Swagger did, but changed his mind, and "Oh crap" was definitely an accurate description of Orton's reaction.* OhCrapThereAreFanficsOfUs: Someone mentioned wrestling fanfic to him. He looked it up, and had this response (somewhere between good-natured confusion and being slightly creeped out). Of course, he also said the stuff he saw was "always him and [[Wrestling/CodyRhodes Cody]]," which kind of implied he didn't dig very far.* OneHitKill:** His RKO has been pushed as this.** His signature punt kick cranked it UpToEleven, as it seemed to be reserved solely for when WWE wants to write someone out of the show for an extended period of time. The Punk kick has since been banned.* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: When the AxCrazy SociopathicHero becomes the OnlySaneMan trying to be the voice of reason in an EnemyMine team, you know things are serious. The commentators even point out this is the case and a sign of how serious a threat The Shield are.* PetTheDog: While promoting Summerslam 2010 in Los Angeles, he did a charity appearance for MDA.* [[TheQuietOne The Quiet]] [[TheStoic Stoic]]:** Randy Orton is a very cold person. In promos he's quiet and speaks slowly. Even his entrance reflects this, with him walking slowly to the ring, and in matches he rarely goes berserk.* RedBaron[=/=]NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Previously known as "The Legend Killer" and now known as "The Viper" and "The Apex Predator."* [[RememberWhenYouBlewUpASun Remember When You RKO'd A Sun?]]: Or remember when you destroyed half the [=McMahon=] family? After his loss to Daniel Bryan, Stephanie reminds him of that. She wants the more ruthless and vicious Randy Orton. And he was more than happy to oblige when he went out of his way to destroy The Miz.* PopularityPower: The main reason why Randy became a face in 2010, and the main reason why Randy's been unable to turn heel until 2013. No matter who he [=RKOs=], the fans won't turn against him. Hell, if he RKO'd Cena, chances are he'd be ''cheered''. They only managed to turn him heel by putting him up against the massively over [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] - anyone else (Cena, Sheamus, Triple H, maybe even Punk, who suffers a similar dilemma when he's a heel) and they would be on his side no matter what.* PowerStable** Wrestling/{{Evolution}}** Legacy: Until it was dwindled down to three members** Wrestling/TheAuthority* PrettyBoy: Skirted this line in his early WWE days.* PunctuatedForEmphasis:** His promos somehow manages to combine this with DullSurprise. The results are interesting to say the least. While it kinda sorta worked when he was a heel, as a face its fairly... lackluster.** Anytime he ''does'' actually raise his voice (see the LargeHam reference) he usually invokes this trope.* [[PutOnABus Punted On The Bus]]:** Randy's [[Wrestling/MichaelCole patented Punt]] was used to write out wrestlers who were being sent back to developmental, needed to be written out due to injuries or just taking a break, but has since been banned.** He himself has been PutOnABus on a few occasion after getting various injuries, mainly with his shoulder[[note]]having hypermobile shoulders tend to make him more injury prone[[/note]], and his string of concussions he had in 2011-2012.* RageQuit: A pretty blatant one on the 12/15/13 RAW. Couldn't beat Daniel Bryan in a ''non-title match'' - cue GroinAttack.* RealMenWearPink: He likes [[http://www.sescoops.com/wwe-trademarks-future-endeavored-orton-barney/ Barney]].* RedBaron: "The Viper," "The Apex Predator," for a time "The Legend Killer."* ReformedButNotTamed: Randy's character didn't change at all during his face run other than the fact that he didn't insult the audience. [[HatesEveryoneEqually He still attacked everybody]] and still acted like the same {{Jerkass}} psychotic and sadistic sociopath he's been since [[strike:2009]] 2007. The only difference is that the fans ''cheered'' for him instead of booing him when he was doing those things.* SanitySlippage: In Randy's feud with Wrestling/{{Christian}} was focused on Randy's [[UnstoppableRage anger]] [[HairTriggerTemper management]] [[BerserkButton issues]]. Instead, it came off as Randy actually being [[UpToEleven more unhinged than usual]], and he seemed to enjoy his own pain and that of others.* SlasherSmile: Expect a pretty painful move to be set up for his opponent when he sports one of these. Perhaps counterintuitively, it's even more sinister when he's a face. He puts on a wide grin, sticks his tongue out, and legitimately looks like he's losing his fucking mind.* SociopathicHero: His babyface persona. Pretty much the same extremely violent, entirely unpredictable guy he is as a heel -- he just attacks heels, smiles a bit more, and says [[CatchPhrase "My name is Randy Orton"]] before every promo.* SpamAttack: As Orton proved during his NoHoldsBarredBeatdown on Seth Rollins during the March 9, 2015 episode of ''Monday Night Raw'', Orton's biggest rule during a fight or a match is "When in doubt, European Uppercut."* StartOfDarkness: Getting kicked out of Wrestling/{{Evolution}}, something he never really got over, he went from being an arrogant "Legend Killer," to the cold-hearted monster we all have come to know as "The Viper." Hunter later lampshaded it in the promo that would manipulate Randy into facing him at ''Wrestling/WrestleMania XXV''.* StartMyOwn: Evolution served as the blueprint for Legacy, except this time, Randy was the Centerpiece, his quest to keep the WWE Championship paralleling Hunter's attempts to keep a stranglehold on to the World Heavyweight Championship. It was also the biggest piece of evidence that Randy hadn't gotten over Evolution's betrayal four years prior.* StupidSexyFlanders: The announcers usually spend quite a bit of time talking about how good he looks.* TakeThat: During an appearance on Wrestling/ChrisJericho's "Highlight Reel" at the 2016 Battleground pay-per-view. When asked about his then-upcoming [=SummerSlam=] opponent, Orton showed no fear of taking a trip to [[Wrestling/BrockLesnar Suplex City]], claiming that only one RKO is necessary for a trip to Viperville... "no enhancement needed."[[note]]It had been revealed in the days prior that Lesnar failed multiple drug tests, testing positive for performance enhancers[[/note]]** That same appearance, he also did this to Jericho, saying [[ItMakesSenseInContext "How epic of a statement could I have made if I came back...and faced Fandango?"]].* TallDarkAndHandsome* TallDarkAndSnarky* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: Randy's ''modus operandi''. Notably, during his Iron Man match with Wrestling/JohnCena, he tried to '''''blow Cena up''''' with pyrotechnics. Michael Cole called him "nuts", and rightfully so.* ThreeMonthRule: He actually subverts it a lot. No matter his alignment, the many enemies he's had over the years (most notably Cena) will make it clear that they still don't like him (and maybe even still hate him). In fact, Randy's transformation from the suave Legend Killer to the sadistic Viper has always had his ousting from Wrestling/{{Evolution}} as his StartOfDarkness, and it's referenced frequently (most notably when the match and/or storyline somehow involves Wrestling/TripleH), despite Evolution having been dissolved in 2004.* TranquilFury: In comparison to the psychotic rage he frequently shows in matches, his backstage persona is almost perpetually reserved, stoic, and matter of fact. Unless you're Mr. Kennedy or Wrestling/KofiKingston.* {{Troll}}: Randy has shades of this in his most recent heel run.* UnderwearOfPower: Orton sticks with the bikini briefs of yesteryear... even backstage, when he's not wrestling. * UngratefulBastard: Has been known to RKO people who just helped him win a match, [[MoralDissonance as a face]], including Wrestling/EvanBourne and Wrestling/JohnCena.* UnnecessaryRoughness: It's kind of Randy's M.O. We could be here all day.* TheUnsmile: It might simply be because we're so used to seeing him as the Viper, but even when he's [[http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/18200000/randy-orton-smile-randy-orton-18214477-400-267.jpg smiling sincerely,]] something about it looks a little... off.* UnstoppableRage: Pretty much runs on it. See list below:** His pre-RKO freak out ground hitting ritual.** Also, his post-RKO/victory flailing about.** Seemed to combine this with BerserkButton at Money in the Bank 2011 when he utterly destroyed Christian when he spat in Ortons face, and got DQ'ed in the process, losing the title to Christian.** And when Cody Rhodes hit him with the mask again, the NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that ensued became ExtremeMeleeRevenge.** What he did to Wrestling/RomanReigns, while not as bloody, was certainly every bit as brutal.** His merciless pounding of Wrestling/SethRollins has to fall under this category as well.* [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse What Happened to the Viper?]][=/=]PutOnABus: Orton disappeared off television after getting suspended for 60 days in the end of May of 2012 (for failing a drug test). No storyline injury or explanation was given either. After his return, all that was mentioned was that he'd been away.* WhatTheHellHero: Is often the recipient. The thing about Randy is that he knows well that a lot of the stuff he does is reprehensibly wrong. He just doesn't ''care''.* VillainSong: Well, when he ''is'' a [[{{heel}} villain]], his theme song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWmH_-RxPMk Voices]]" could count.* VillainTeamUp: With Wrestling/{{Edge}} when they formed Rated-RKO, and later with Cody Rhodes and Ted [=DiBiase=] to form Legacy.* VillainousBreakdown: Wrestling/{{Christian}} sent Orton on a month-long one of these in 2011. Orton defended the World Heavyweight Championship at ''Money in the Bank'' under the rule that the title could change hands via disqualification. Christian spat in Orton's face to get him angry. One kick in the nuts later, and Christian was the champ. Orton would demolish him at every opportunity, before winning the title back at ''[=SummerSlam=]'' in a no-DQ match.* WatchThePaintJob: Every time someone gives a car. By the end of the night, it's going to be covered in orange paint.* WildCard: ** Randy is probably one of the best examples in modern WWE, his allegiances tend to be shaky at best. He targets pretty much anyone who pisses him off or is in the way of being the best, be they {{Face}} or {{Heel}}. It's safe to say the only allegiance he has is with himself.** On a meta-level, Orton's one of the best 'switch' guys on the entire roster, able to get the crowd to buy into him as a heel as much as they did when he was face.* WorthyOpponent:** Wrestling/JohnCena, whose feud with him goes back to 2001 and their OVW days. After Cena gave his "retirement" speech on the 11.22.10 Raw, Orton met him in the back and [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming they hugged goodbye]]. John has said multiple times that he respects Randy as a competitor. Randy hasn't said it as much, but he has said it before. Albeit reluctantly.** Wrestling/{{Christian}} ''was'' one of these, however his increasingly desperate begging for another shot after continuously losing has resulted in Orton getting frustrated with facing him.* TheWorfBarrage:** Ran into this a bit in his 2011 feud with Wrestling/MarkHenry. Easily RKO'd him in a non-match context (the infamous "[=CheeRKO=]" that ended with a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny jumping split and a bunch of posturing]], but when the ''Night Of Champions'' match rolled around, the move that had served as a OneHitKO on so many Superstars (including Mark Henry at points) was suddenly woefully ineffective. End result? Randy pretty much got his ass handed to him. Twice. For the World Heavyweight Championship on both occasions.** Similarly, Randy only needed one RKO to defeat Wrestling/TheUndertaker at ''Summerslam 2005''. At ''Armageddon 2005'', ''three'' [=RKOs=] and [[BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame a Tombstone]] were not enough, and Randy lost.* WouldHitAGirl: Just ask [[StephanieMcMahon Stephanie]]...or Wrestling/StacyKeibler, for that matter. But especially Stephanie.* WrestlingFamily: Is a third-generation wrestler, with his grandfather Bob Orton Sr, father "Cowboy" Bob Orton and uncle Barry O, having all been in the business.* WrestlingPsychology: Was trained by [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts Jake "The Snake" Roberts.]]* YouAreWhatYouHate: Randy's career took off when he became the "Legend Killer" and took down countless ring veterans and legends, such as Wrestling/MickFoley, in arrogant and oftentimes brutal ways. These days, he's undeniably a legend himself, one his younger self would've aimed for [[TooDumbToLive if he lacked any self-preservation]].* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: When he was part of Evolution with Wrestling/TripleH, Wrestling/RicFlair and Wrestling/{{Batista}}, he won the World Heavyweight Championship from Wrestling/ChrisBenoit at SummerSlam. The next night following a rematch, in which he retained, the other seemed to be celebrating with him, only to turn on him and giving him one hell of a beatdown. Triple H tried to force Orton to relinquish the title the following week, only for Orton to spit in Triple H's face and run off with the title, thus setting off a {{face}} turn.----